Online Education

My husband goes to Saint Leo's. They have both online classes as well as traditional classes. He really likes it!

T.,
I attend Capella University online. I am trying to attain my PHD but like you said time hasn't allowed me to go a campus-based school. My mother-in-law also attends there. She is the one who talked me into at least applying and trying it out for myself. I absolutely love it and wouldn't go back to brick and mortar school setting unless I had no other choose. If you need anymore information on online learning, please email me at ____@____.com.

K.

Hi, T.. You have no idea how convenient online schooling is! I began University of Phoenix after I had my third child and began staying home, pretty much for all the same reasons as you.

Hello T.,
Try this link http://www.detc.org/search_schools.php and leave everything blank except subject taught. This site is Distance Education and Training website with government approved accredited schools. Just check EACH schools for prices before you commit. Some are colleges and some are Technical that teach only what you want a degree in (which are the ones I'd like)Good Luck.
J.

Hi,
I have worked on a degree online, and I also work for a major university.
Most major accredited universities/ colleges offer distance education and online degree programs. When you are researching programs, make sure that their online programs are accredited, or come from an accredited school. Do your research before starting your program. You don't want to get done with your credits to find out that you can't get a job because the school and subsequent degree isn't accredited.
Also, there is usually no indication on the degree itself that it was obtained "online" or through distance education (well, unless "Online" is in the name of the school). It is a degree just like any other degree and shouldn't hamper any job opportunities. If anything, it proves you are a self-motivator!
Once you have narrowed down to a program, make sure you ask other students and/or alumni about the program (staff support, availability of resources, etc). Your success in distance ed coursework is contingent on a strong support base and commitment from the school personnel and staff. In other words, you want someone to be available to answer your questions (and you will have them). I had it happen where the staff at the university, in which I was taking distance ed courses, were very unresponsive to any kind of inquiry via phone or email. Once I got someone, they were unknowledgeable, and passed me around from person to person. It is extremely frustrating (esp when you are paying for the classes).
I hope this helps! And good luck!

I haven't done this yet, but I have several friends who have, with mixed results. I'd really be wary of online-only schools (the kind you see advertised on TV) because several of them are questionable-- some are being investigated by the BBB or by state governments, and some employers regard their degrees as useless. However, if you go to a real college (one that has a real campus) that also has an online program, you should be safe. For example, my husband is getting his Master's degree from a school in the UNC system that also offers an online program, so its program is fully accredited-- something to look for. Good luck! From my husband's experience, I can attest that this is a lot of work, but the online option is really great when you already have a job and a family, and it's working well for us!

Hi T.. I am going back to school starting in Jan. 2008. I will be getting my Masters of Education in Business. ECU offers it completely online. I originally got my BSBA in Marketing the "old-fashioned" way. Then I got my teaching certificate (both from ECU). For my teaching certificate, it was some F-2-F and some online.
As far as validity of the degree and school - make sure they are accredited. Also - A LOT of traditional schools also have online or distance education programs. Just do some research.
And if you go to a traditional school and just do their distance ed, it is cheaper and who will ever know you did online?
As far as the schools that say you can get a 4 year degree in a year or some other stuff like that, I would be weary.
Hope this helps.

I personally wouldn't go to an online school. I have a friend that is getting ready to graduate from AIU. Her classes were only 5 weeks long. I question how much she has learned. And she is paying a fortune. I have signed up for an online class at my community college. I have done it before and it was wonderful. Another thing about these ALL online schools is you have to do group projects so your grade isn't on your work alone. Each week she had a group project and they had to talk on the phone and people didn't do the work or show up for their chat sessions. It has been a nightmare. Also with a school like Avery, you still have to go to a class every once in a while which is why I didn't choose them. A community college is more creditable and then you can transfer to a university. Just my opinion.... If you have questions, my email is ____@____.com

Hello! This is the computer age and most colleges get that. I live just outside of Charlotte, NC and have been taking online classes on and off with the local community college-CPCC. I LOVE it. You still have deadlines and instead of having to be in a classroom, there are discussion board assignments. However, I was am to work whenever I want. Usually that means at night, after work and my little guy is in bed. Don't wory about the validity of your degree. I don't think that is says "obtained online at Jim's Discount College" or anything. :o) If you have the money I would look into University of Phoenix Online. Just be careful if you call them. They will try to recruit the heck out of you. If money is an issue (as it is for me) look into your local community colleges to get your basic classes out of the way. Just make sure that if your goal is a Bachelor's or higher, the credit hours you take will transfer and apply to your desired degree or transfer school. I hope that helped. You can e-mail me too, if you want at ____@____.com Luck and God Bless!
J.

Hi T.- I'm not sure if you already have a degree and you're trying to work towards your masters or if you are just looking for a bachelor's, but I am taking all of my general requirements on-line at CPCC. They are much cheaper than UNCC and all the credits will transfer. You will only be able to earn an associates if you decide not to go past CPCC, but it's certainly worth taking the on-line courses they offer even if you do the first two years there.

You will earn a degree just like you were attending classes on campus, but with the ability to do it on your own time and schedule. I started with two classes and find that to be perfect with my almost 9 month old.

Good luck

Hi T.,
I have not personally done this, but my husband obtained his entire MBA from East Carolina University online. It is very valid and he has a fantastic job with much room to "grow".
It has become increasingly popular to get online degrees, and many major University's in NC offer this as an option.
Good Luck to you...and happy schooling!

On the one hand... any education you can get will help you in life...

On the other hand... in my experience, a basic college degree is 50% information, 50% experience. I remember a lot of what I learned from books but the interaction in class and with people in general was just as meaningful. For the most part, college focuses on your desired field of study... but it also requires you to learn about math, culture, science, etc. If you are only reading (which you do a lot more of for online classes) and occassionally interacting with peers you lose a lot of what "higher education" is supposed to offer.

Also, I was a great student... but did poorly in my online classes. I loved college and learning, but felt like I learned the least from the few online courses I took. Nothing beats a real life professor and nothing beats a classroom full of peers to help you on your way!

If possible you should look into schools that are geared toward working adults... They offer very non-traditional class schedules. It may be hard to find 2 hours to get to a class... but where will you find the 6 hours to do the same amount of work online?

Just a few thoughts. Good luck!

W.

i take classes from ashford university online. www.ashford.edu check it out. they only have a couple of programs, but i really enjoy it!

Hi T.,

I attend Ashford University. I love it. It is accredited and the classes will transfer just about anywhere. I have checked VA Tech and UVA, both accept the transfer credits, if needed. They have bachelors and Masters. You have to be careful, but there are some awesome on-line schools. And the best part is they are so very convenient. If youo would like more information I will be glad to send it to you.

C.

My husband is currently taking classes on-line from the University of Phoenix. He really likes it b/c it works well around his schedule. He's going for computer tech.
Good Luck in making a choice and in starting.
A. C.

Hi T.,
I am doing online classes to get me BS in Allied Healthcare management at Miller-Motte in NC. All my classes will be online. I am not sure what kind of degree you are looking for, but here is the number for the guy I talked to at Miller-Motte you can call him maybe he can help.
Mark Lenz
###-###-####
I wish you the best of luck.
Thanks,
D.

Hi, I have a friend who is obtaining her psych BA online through Ashford University. It is a real accredited university, as are others like University of Pheonix. There are several types of degrees you can get, and all employers care about is that you have a degree. Unless you want to be a nurse, engineer, or something technical most jobs just want to see that you have that extra education.

Hi, I am getting an online BA in Psychology from Ashford University (no relation to the other person who mentioned a friend that went there). The school is REGIONALLY accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. You do NOT want to go to a school that with NATIONAL accredidation, because most other schools will not take their credits for transfer (even if you get an associate degree).

The good thing about Ashford is that you take ONE CLASS at a time and it is only 5 weeks long. They help with everything--financial aid, classes and degree program, transfer credits (which ironically you can transfer nationally accredited credits). There are some good schools that you can go to for degree programs, and there are schools that you can take just a class or two.

Good luck. Let me know if you need anymore help. ____@____.com

I currently attend University of Phoenix online. I have two more classes to complete my MBA in Accounting. It was very convenient for me. But it is quite challenging because of the workload for each course.

One advantage is that you do not have to go to the class and you can go to school from home. But the big challenge is to balance you time between school and family.

Hi T., I don't really have any advise for you but my friend will! I met a girl that is in the york county moms group and she is doing the very exact thing that you are curious about! She has been doing it for a long time! She has a 3 year old and she is due for another in about 20 days! So If you click on my web page link it will take you to my myspace page and she is on my top friends her picture is of her preggy belly painted like the earth! I hope this helps!

I am not sure on good qualitiy ones.

I did PCDI's Ashworth College but do not recommend it. They are acredited but they have no list to what college take their credits as well as I called at least 10 different colleges in different states (we are military so who knows where was next) and they couldnt make out the paper work for the college so they claim it is not acredited and take none of the credits. With all of that I asume that a lot of busnesses probably have the same trouble.

My husband took one class with Phoneix online but that was a TON of work. He was on the computer for hours, had like 15 page papers due that was partners and he ended up having to come up with most of the paper because the partners wouldnt do their work.

Normal colleges have a lot of classes that you can talk online now. I would try that before trying any online based college. Just my opinion though.

I am finishing up my MBA through Jones International University and I think it's a great online school. All you really need to do is to do some research and make sure that the school you choose is fully accredited.

T.

My daughter received her ADN at a local technical school and then her BSN through a 4 year year college. However, she did the BSN on-line through the local college. Check out the colleges in your area and she what they offer as "distant eduction" courses and/or degrees.

If you would like to talk with my daughter, you may email
____@____.com

Thanks

Hey T.- check with a local college. Seriously. My husband got his degree from a regular old brick-and-mortar college by taking nothing but online classes. When he graduated, the dean told him he was the first to do it that way. Bonus about staying local- eligible for lower, in-state tuition, as well as any state grants. If you go to an "on-line university", you lose those benefits.

As another person noted, be wary of the online schools. They are NOT ALL bad, but some of them are only paper mills. If they are not REGIONALLY accredited, then forget it. If they say you can't get federal aid, then they are probably not recognized, so forget it.

Another note- I have looked into one of the schools another person mentioned- Capella (sp?)- because a friend once told me about it. They look good.

Good luck.

I have a few friends who tried the online thing but you see most the time those credits don’t transfer. I am not sure about where u live but most community colleges offer online classes I mean maybe not the whole things but some and my fiancé is going to our college here he has days and night and weekend and online classes so you see sometimes with kids there is financial aide to even help pay for classes. Some of the people who go to school with him even get assistance with childcare . You can call and talk to the counselor tell them your lifestyle and see if they can help but always ask about transferring credits you never know in the future you may want to add to your degree and it would be a shame if that wasn’t possible. :) Hope this helps would love to hear how it works out for you !!

T.
I'm taking class's online through Tidewater Tech and they also have financial aid and if your computer is out of date they will send you a new dell computer.The financial aid is based on your income.I'm taking computer admin specialist I will have my degree in 18 months.(Associate Degree)
Here is Mike Ferguson 1-866-858-2121 or website www.tidewatertechonline.com financing your education www.educaid.com
Good luck I did a lot of research on online colleges I like Tidewater. J.

I am currently getting my degree through Strayer and know several U of Phoenix graduates, including those that were able to transfer their credits elsewhere. I am a single working mom so campus classes were not a reality. One thing you need to be aware the volume of work if you go strictly online is very high. Some people quit because they assume it will be easier but its not. Several schools you've probably heard of now offer completely online degrees including Penn state. Make sure the school is accredited if you are in doubt each accreditation can be independently verified. Be wary of schools that end in .com or .net. the requirements to get a .edu are harder and a better way to weed out diploma mills. You don't want to take out loans and find out your degree is worthless.

If you find a school be sure to talk to admissions about financial aid and loans. you can do your FAFSA now even if your not applying anywhere. but you will get your EFC number which will give you a rough estimate of how much financial aid you will qualify for. The lower your EFC the more you can get in grants. That is why you need to consider cost. Cheaper schools lower loans.

Now if all of this still makes you want to go back to school you then been to consider do you want a certificate, associates, bachelors or masters. You also need to determine what field you want to study because your not going to have the luxury of being undeclared while you find your niche. Plus you can eliminate schools that don't offer the degree you want. if you have any questions free free to PM me or send me a direct email at ____@____.com